Choe Ryong Hae appointed N.K. party's highest position

Choe Ryong Hae, a vice-chairman of North Korea's ruling Workers’ Party, appears to have been named a director of the ruling party’s Organization and Guidance Department (OGD), the highest one among the 19 high-profile positions at the party (minister level in South Korea), according to a report by a state-run institute. Choi has been on the rise as "Kim Jung Un's man" after taking as many as eight positions at the second meeting of the central committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Saturday.

"North Korea announced that Choe has been appointed as a director. It seems that Choe has been named the director of OGD as his name was called second at an event, held on Sunday, to mark the 20th anniversary of Kim Jong Il being elected as general secretary of the Workers’ Party," according to a report released by the Institute for National Security Strategy under the South Korean National Intelligence Service on Tuesday. The OGD is in charge of personnel and state affairs in North Korea, which is equivalent to a combination of presidential office for political and personnel affairs of South Korea.

Meanwhile, Pak Kwang Ho, whose former position has not been known, has been named a vice chairman of the Central Committee at the plenary meeting and director of the party's propaganda and agitation department. "His surprise rise to key positions is likely to have been the result of Kim Yo Jong's recommendation," the report said.

Jong Kyong Thaek, a new face at the meeting, may replace Kim Won Hong, minister of state security.

Choe Ryong Hae, a vice-chairman of North Korea's ruling Workers’ Party, appears to have been named a director of the ruling party’s Organization and Guidance Department (OGD), the highest one among the 19 high-profile positions at the party (minister level in South Korea), according to a report by a state-run institute. Choi has been on the rise as "Kim Jung Un's man" after taking as many as eight positions at the second meeting of the central committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Saturday.

"North Korea announced that Choe has been appointed as a director. It seems that Choe has been named the director of OGD as his name was called second at an event, held on Sunday, to mark the 20th anniversary of Kim Jong Il being elected as general secretary of the Workers’ Party," according to a report released by the Institute for National Security Strategy under the South Korean National Intelligence Service on Tuesday. The OGD is in charge of personnel and state affairs in North Korea, which is equivalent to a combination of presidential office for political and personnel affairs of South Korea.

Meanwhile, Pak Kwang Ho, whose former position has not been known, has been named a vice chairman of the Central Committee at the plenary meeting and director of the party's propaganda and agitation department. "His surprise rise to key positions is likely to have been the result of Kim Yo Jong's recommendation," the report said.

Jong Kyong Thaek, a new face at the meeting, may replace Kim Won Hong, minister of state security.